Daily Supports

            Support can represent different aspects within a person’s life because everyone has a different situation to handle. Support comes in more than one form because it can be financial, physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. Many understand support from a financial standpoint but that is not the only way an individual can be given. I have reached levels in my life where I have needed every type of support that can be offered. My family are my biggest supporters because they stand by me when I am right and trying to reach a certain goal in life. My family supports me as a mother, wife, daughter, great daughter, niece, and so on. When an individual has a support team they have that extra boost to help them achieve the goals that they are aiming for in life. An individual’s support system can be friends, family, and so on. My friends and family are my cheerleaders in life. They have stood by me and cheered me on for every degree I have earned and every job that I have imagined having. Their support system keeps me from giving up and throwing in the towel.

            My family and friends are my biggest cheerleaders right now. I am preparing to take a major exam that can determine my future plans and without their support I would probably continue to prolong that exam. My family supports me by watching my son on nights that I really need to be studying, they help by providing me with some money when I miss work for trying to do school, they support me psychologically because they talk to me and listen to my problems. My family has talked me out of quitting and explained to me why my goals are worth the fight that I have to continue to put up. So having that main support is the most important thing because everyone needs someone at some point in life whether it’s for them to be a cheerleader or main supporter.

My Conncetions to Play

Quote #1: “I’m a 90s kid. I miss being able to watch good TV shows. I miss Hey Arnold, Doug, Rocket Power, & Recess. I miss Full House and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I miss the Mighty Ducks and Lion King. I miss Catdog and the Wild Thornberry’s. I miss waking up early to watch cartoons. But most of all, I miss the simplicity. 90s > present – nothing personal” (pinterest.com)

Quote #2: “When I was 5 years old, my mom always told me the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy.” They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life. (zombieplace.com)

Essential Play Items:
* Alphabet Stackable Blocks
* Play Kitchen and Groceries
* Jungle Gym

               

            Play will always be an essential part of life. My parents used to play with me no matter what I wanted to play. We should use everyday items in a house to play with. When pretending to cook, my mom would show me how each product looked in real life and she would let me feel the texture of the item. When pretending to play school, my dad would be the student and he was consistently correcting me. My learning experience was great as a child because I was learning and playing.

            I feel that playing when I was younger was better than what today’s children are being offered. Today’s children are technology handicapped because they do not have to use their own mind they don’t have too. I used my imagination and the toys that I had to make useful time of my playing. In the mist of everything today’s children consider fun to be playing video games and surfing the web. I have nothing against technology but how does this help our children in the real fundamentals of play.

            Throughout my life I have seen different styles of playing. Some people played with a purpose while others played for fun. When we were children we played to occupy our time but as adults we are playing with a mission. Our mission could be to teach children, exercising, or simply to have fun. While some of the things we did as children can be fun when we are reminiscing about when we were children.

Relationship Reflection

            Relationships are important to me whether it’s dealing with the friends or family. Most of the people that come in our lives are for a season but a relationship is built regardless. I have some good supporters in my corners. I first have to give thanks to God, because I am grateful for every day I am given. My parents are my top supporters and are always encouraging me to follow my dreams. This bonded relationship occurred after birth. My parents tell me the things I need to hear even when I am in denial. My son is my reason for waking up every morning and aiming high to achieve goals that provides my son a better tomorrow. My son and I have a relationship that can never be broken. His presence makes me have a warm and loving feeling. My husband and I are best friends before everything. He is my advice giver and comforter. We have a bonded and sealed relationship because no matter what we defend one another. We have been together since 2009 and he stands by me through the good and the bad. While there are other people that I can give individual credit to, I will just say that my family and friends rock on so many levels. No matter what I am going through, they find a way to help me find that light at the end of my dark tunnels. Whether it is school, work, or personal my supporters stand strong by my side.

When I Think of Child Development

Henry Ward Beecher, reverand and social activist
"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven."
http://www.compassion.com/child-advocacy/find-your-voice/famous-quotes/

     This statement stood out to me because I believe that children are our gifts from God. They are the greatest accomplishment that we as mothers will ever achieve. As the children are a gift from God they means that they are our touch of heaven. This statement says everything that I feel when I am working with children and being a mom.

Testing for Intelligence

            What does a standardized test prove? This is the question that I answer when children take the standardized tests and they miss it by a few points and cannot be promoted to the next grade or graduate for that much. To me a standardized test is just something that the state has chosen to decide a child’s fate. Most children quit going to school once they have been held back due to a state tests. I have seen children make straight A’s all through school but fail the standardized tests. These tests have the power to keep graduates from taking the walk across the stage and getting their diploma. This is ridiculous because all these years children have been going through school passing, graduating, and accomplishing great things. How do these tests dictate how well a child is performing? Children learn and develop in different ways and I just feel that these tests do not control anything.  A test cannot dictate what children will learn, that is why they study.

            When conducting research I saw that in England they have a test that is considered a nationalized test that replaces the standard pencil and paper tests. This test is used as the children curriculum and is to help them learn as well as to contribute to their development. I just personally do not see how testing children determines their level in life. I can see and understand how it helps learn the learning patterns of the individual children because every child is different. This means that everyone has a different lifestyle and learning style. Children should only be tested to see what working level they are on so that the teacher can know exactly how to help them. I feel like the statement of letting children is children have completely been thrown out of the door.

References

Rotberg, I. (2006). Assessment Around the World. NCLB: Taking Stock, Looking Forward    Pages 58-63. Volume 64 | Number 3

Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

            The environments that we live in say a lot and have a major effect on our lives. Many may not understand why environmental things may affect our lives but it is our surroundings that help us become who we are. There are children that I now in the United States that have experienced racism, environmental pollution, violence, and disease. Most of these experiences start in the home and being away from home is the best option to survive. Most of the children I know were able to survive because they learned how to separate themselves from harmful situations and place themselves in a different environment. Violence happens in all neighborhoods and it starts with a disagreement between others. Diseases can happen in any country and it affects newborn babies just like it does children and adults. The only difference is that newborns are not given a choice on the actions that causes them to have the diseases. An infant can be born with a disease due to the decisions that the parents make. Noise can affect our train of thoughts as well as sleep. There are children in the poverty countries that are experiencing hunger because their country is poor. This is another way that the environmental issues affect our everyday lifestyles.

            Stressors such as the ones that we discussed have a serious effect on how a child’s development process operates. It can physically affect all areas of a child’s development because it can have a negative outcome. The environment can affect the way that a child learns because it can be something that breaks their concentration. If it is a stressor that affects a child’s sleeping patterns because no one can fully function without the necessary rest. Many do not understand how environmental issues can affect the way we function and operate. These types of activities can affect what the child may see and learn from what they have seen. Pollution can affect the drinking water and cause other infections and diseases to children and adults.

Child Development and Public Health

Today we are going to discuss immunization for children in the United States compared to other countries. While every state has its own requirements for immunizations for children but the government has an input on how everything is handled. Most states give the parents an option on whether they take their children to get the immunization but for those parents that choose not to get their children immunized then those children are not allowed to attend school with certain immunizations. The states feel that the immunizations protect children away from the different diseases that can be a danger to their health as well as others that come in contact with them.

            Immunizations are not required in other countries because they feel that immunizations makes the children suffer childhood sicknesses. There was research done and children in the states are more sick then children in other countries. The purpose is for us to keep our children healthy so why would the government have a say so on why we do or do not have a choice in our children being immunized. The illness that the children in the states get is more recent than the children in other countries that do not get immunizations.  

References

Whitaker, J. (1982-2013). The Truth About Vaccinations. Retrieved on May 18, 2014 from

http://www.nvic.org/Doctors-Corner/JulianWhitakerMD/The-Truth-About-Vaccinations.aspx

Childbirth In Your Life and Around the World

January 11, 2009 will always be a memorable moment for me. I was asleep on the couch at my parent's house and rolled over to get comfortable. I had a sudden urge to use the bathroom so I rolled onto the floor because my belly was too big to just sit up and stand up. While heading to the bathroom fluids started to run down my legs. I started running because I thought I was using the bathroom on myself and my mommy’s rug. All I could think was that my mommy was going to kill me. As I was using the bathroom I couldn’t cut off my urine flow. I called my uncle’s girlfriend at 2:20am and she was headed back to Laurel, MS from the night club. She told me that my water had broken and I needed to alert my parents. While trying to get out the bathroom I was slipping and sliding all over the floor because my mom’s bathroom floor was tile and water was everywhere. While trying to clean up my water, my little sister heard the commotion and went to get my parents. My mom came flying through the house fussing at me because I was trying to clean up the water instead of getting in the car. I got up took another bath and my dad put my bags in the truck. While still fussing my mom was going ninety to nothing driving to the hospital. The nurses met me at the door of the hospital with a wheelchair and prepared me a room because I was six days early. They hooked me to the machines and asked me how I felt. I told them I felt fine and the nurse said that I should be feeling my contractions because they were five minutes apart but I wasn’t feeling them. The doctor checked me and I had not dilated at all. He told me I wouldn’t give birth until 8:00pm. My husband came running in because my uncle’s girlfriend wen to his job at the Waffle House and got him from work saying that it was time. The smell of food on his clothes was making me nausea so I told him to go baths and change clothes because we had a long day ahead of us. The heart monitor kept losing my baby’s heartbeat so while I was watching the Sci-fi Channel, the nurse kept relocating the monitor. At 12:00pm the nurse came to relocate the monitor and could see my baby’s head. She called the doctor and when he came in he said it was time to push. I was watching “Wrong Turn 3” and the doctor noticed I was calm and collective so he asked me to push and explain to him what I was watching. At 12:29pm my son was born weighing 6lbs 7ozs and the doctor and I was still watching the horror movie while my mom was breathing like she gave birth. My husband made it back to the hospital fifteen minutes later and was upset because he missed everything. I asked him what happened he said that he dried off and set down to put on some lotion and fell asleep. My son was healthy and bright eyed. I will always remember giving birth to my only son because he is my miracle and God sent. I have leukemia and high blood pressure, so I was never supposed to be able to have a child with seventy-five percent chance of me getting severely ill. I didn’t find out I was pregnant until I was seven and a half months. After crying and freaking out I started making sure that my bodily intake and daily activities was beneficial for the growth of my fetus.

            I researched labor and delivery in England. Midwives are the highest rated providers outside of the United States. They feel that having a home birth is the best atmosphere for babies to be delivered with a loving and caring midwife. This option is not provided in the United States in some places because hospitals feel like it is safer to have a baby where medical assistance is available right away if needed. When I first found out that I was pregnant I was living in Georgia. I was given the option to choose between a tub birth or bed birth. I chose water birth in the birthing tub. Regardless of what method I choose I still had to do the birthing at a hospital. I moved back home to Mississippi a few weeks before my son was born. At that point I lost my water tub birthing option because it was not offered as an option in Mississippi. I was upset because I didn’t understand why every mother should have an option to have the birthing of her choice and shouldn’t have to be in certain areas of the world to get exactly what she wants.

Reference

Block, J. (2007). Childbirth In England – It’s Shocking. Retrieved on May 11, 2014 from

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-block/childbirth-in-england-its_b_68454.html

Code of Ethics

Each field serves different codes of ethics. I listed some below as to what refers to me and my profession. The codes that I feel are code of ethics to use for my job is:

1.) “We shall demonstrate in our behavior and language respect and appreciation for the unique value and human potential of each child.”

2.) “We shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in all our professional activities in order to inspire the trust and confidence of the children and families and of those with whom we work.”

3.) “We shall demonstrate our respect and appreciation for all families’ beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture relative to their nurturance and support of their children toward achieving meaningful and relevant priorities and outcomes families’ desire for themselves and their children.”

A Note of Thanks and Support

I would like to thank everyone for all of the blogs, comments, and advice that was provided during this course. You all have been a great inspiration to me and my future plans and goals. I am more determined to achieve other goals and reach out to my areas in my field. I wish everyone the best of luck for their future education and future jobs.

Growing Your Collection of Resources

Resources:

1.) Examining Multicultural Picture Books for the Early Childhood Classroom: Possibilities and Pitfalls

Jean Mendoza & Debbie Reese

Volume 3 Number 2

2.) The Young Children and Mathematics
Juanita V. Copley
Second Edition

3.) Six Pathways to Healthy Child Development and Academic Success: The Field Guide to Comer Schools in Action [Paperback]
James Corner, Edward Joyner, & Michael Ben-avie


References:

Mendoza, J. & Reese, D. (2007). Examining Multicultural Picture Books for the Early Childhood Classroom: Possibilities and Pitfalls. Retrieved on April 3, 2014 from http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v3n2/mendoza.html

Copley, J. (2010). The Young Children and Mathematics. Retrieved on April 3, 2014 from

http://www.naeyc.org/store/files/store/TOC/167.pdf

Corner, J.; Joyner, E. & Ben-Avie, M. (2004). Six Pathways to Healthy Child Development and Academic Success: The Field Guide to Comer Schools in Action [Paperback]. California: Corwin Press

Words of Inspiration and Motivation

"The legacy I want to leave is a child-care system that says that no kid is going to be left alone or left unsafe."       

Marian Wright Edelman

"If you as parents cut corners, your children will too. If you lie, they will too. If you spend all your money on yourselves and tithe no portion of it for charities, colleges, churches, synagogues, and civic causes, your children won't either. And if parents snicker at racial and gender jokes, another generation will pass on the poison adults still have not had the courage to snuff out."

Marian Wright Edelman

"Know that being proactive is the single best thing that an educator can do to support children who have problem behavior. Being proactive means that you are acting in advance - before a problem occurs."
Ann Turnbull

"The passion to create a safer and more just world for all kids."
Louise Derman-Sparks

References:

African American Quotes. (2007). Marian Wright Edelman. Retrieved on March 30, 2014 from http://africanamericanquotes.org/marian-wright-edelman.html

Nadia. (2012). My Real Job as an educator: Quote by Ann Turnbull. Retrieved on March 30, 2014 from http://kingnadia.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-real-job-as-educator-quote-by-ann.html

Personal Childhood Web

My friends are my right hand peeps. They have stood by me in everything that I do. Each of us have a different personality because we were all raised in different environments. Our different backgrounds is what keeps our friendship at all new and exciting levels. This group of friends have been by my side through the good and the bad. They have been some of my main supports. These young women have kept me up when I feel like I am too sleepy to focus on my work. They each have their own form of motivational speaking that fits the advice they give. Together we are mothers aiming for a better tomorrow through work and school. We plan on leaving an awesome legacy for our child.

My mom and dad are my number one supporters. they have raised me to be the woman that I am today. Both of my parents love me unconditionally and I love them to the moon and back. My dad and mom are my hero and the people that I look up to. My dad is a supervisor that works with the City of Hattiesburg. My mom is a seamstress and has been my supporter and team player all my life. My parents have been my counselors, best friends, supporter, and spiritual belief to a better life.

My husband is a cook and has been cooking for over ten years. When having a hard time with work or school, he is my motivation and educator. My husband is my best friend and we have been through a lot of different situations. 

My grandmother and my aunt are my life supports. They are there for me when I am sick, healthy, sad, mad, etc.. I don't have to worry about the negative energy with them because they are more more worried with the idea of what I want and what it will take a little to earn everything I'm working towards a brighter future. 

My son is my reason for living. I wake up and go to sleep aiming to build my son a better life. With this degree I can continue to build a legacy for the joy of my life. I have seen many different things in my life but my greatest accomplishment  is my son. He comes and helps me with my homework and allows me the space I need to clear my mind and thoughts.

Personalization

Quote:

"Children must be taught how to think, not what to think". Margaret Mead. 

Children Book Title:

"No, David!" By: David Shannon

         I love this book because it's educational and funny. The reaction that the children give when this book is read to them is a hilarious moment and enjoyable. David does everything that he knows is a no-no and allowing the children to point out and discuss what David is doing wrong helps them to understand the book and why David was in the wrong.

A Child's Story:

        A child that has touched my heart recently is a little boy where I currently work. He is four years old he lost his mom two weeks ago. She was his best friend and mother. The father is no where in the picture and hasn't been since birth. He talks to me and my teachers about what he's feeling instead of counselors and grandparents. He told me that he knows that his mother is in Heaven and that she is with God but he wants to know when she's coming to take him to Heaven. With a tearful heart I explained to him that it's not his time and that his mom is his guardian angel. This week he has taken what we talked about and started rebuilding his foundation for his future. he told my staff, "I am doing good at school and I am on the search to find me a mom. This little boy continues to make an impact on my heart.

I have been in the childcare field for at least six years or more now. Children need foundation where they can be themselves, make new friends, and start on their journey to success. There will be some hard times but there will also be easy times. Education is not one of those fields that an individual should enter into without full knowledge as to the needs of the children because at the end of the day that is what matters. Besides the relationship that the children will have with their parents they will have a understanding relationship with their teacher on certain issues. I talk to my students and determine what they may be experiencing and how I can help. Not all children will want to share information about things that they are experiencing because not everyone's opinion is good for the situation at hand. A student-teacher relationship can be established to a certain extent and without any extra incentives.